Emperor's Bane

Chapter 699: Gifts from Ahriman
"They all say you are the most powerful Astartes Librarian ever, Ahriman."

“And there is no other.”

"The phrase 'the best in history' is really an overstatement. After all, in the final analysis, the only ones who can take charge among the Astartes right now are the old guys from Terra. The younger ones are still very young."

"Who says it's not?"

As soon as the words fell, the old Terrans on the ground looked at each other and laughed, and the empty arena was filled with a happy atmosphere.

"But no matter what, everyone still recognizes your title. Whether it's us or the Terrans, anyone with a brain knows that we should listen to Ahriman's advice on matters related to psychic powers. At least we can't ignore him intentionally."

The brisk and elegant laughter undoubtedly came from the son of Fulgrim: Akudona, the greatest pride of the Emperor's Children Legion and leader of two hundred court swordsmen, had been on the Dawnbreaker's Aurora for many days.

To be more precise, before Fulgrim led the main fleet of the Third Legion away from Ullanor due to some trivial matters in the Maelstrom area, he had an agreement with Morgan: the Phoenix Lord had promised that he would visit the Aurora in person to fill the lack of brotherhood between him and his only sister.

Although the promise was temporarily delayed because of this, since Morgan had already prepared the ceremony, Fulgrim naturally had no reason to be disappointed: Akudona and Fabius volunteered to become Fulgrim's solemn messengers and would board the Aurora to go to Nikaea first.

During this time, the two of them will complete the union of the two legions as much as possible.

But on this issue: Fabius is stronger than ten Akudonas.

Thinking of this, the court swordsmen all shook their heads with emotion, and paused in the action of wiping their beloved swords: although he and the chief pharmacist were both envoys of the Primarch, after a brief meeting and conversation, Fabius was obviously more favored by Morgan.

Fulgrim's most capable potion master had become a regular in the Spider Queen's drawing room, alongside the equally respected Sergeant Trazyn: it was said that a friendship had been struck between the two, and when the Primarch was not summoning Fabius, people would see the Emperor's son's potion master, accompanying the Spider Queen's image director, into all sorts of strange nooks and crannies on the ship.

No one knew what they were talking about: Akudona had asked Fabius once, but the answer he got was ambiguous and perfunctory. But what was certain was that whenever he mentioned his relationship with Trazyn, the pharmacist's old face would become visibly excited.

He also had a high opinion of Trazyn, just as Trazyn had of him: the pharmacist boasted that the image director was a collector with a witty and elegant taste, a great man that any king or dignitary would open the door to welcome; while the collector frequently praised the pharmacist's ideas that were as bright as stars in his mind and could always point the way in the fog.

"A person like Sir Fabius will not appear even in ten thousand years."

"His talent, his dream, his execution, and his determination to overcome all difficulties and obstacles in the galaxy to achieve his goals: any one of these is enough to make the entire galaxy tremble. I really feel sorry for the people in the future who have to live with such a genius."

Among all Trazim's praises, only this sentence was particularly earnest and corny, and even Akudona remembered it deeply: he always felt that this boast was well-made, as if Trazim, who never showed his true face to others, could really pick out ten thousand years from his mind and use it to testify to the preciousness of Fabius.

Yes, precious: the look he gave Fabius was filled with emotions like these.

It didn’t matter: Fabius’s eyes were full of greed when he looked back at him.

Perhaps this is a symbol of friendship between two cultural figures?
Can't figure it out.

Akudona shook his head and was no longer bothered by these things. He hadn't seen Fabius for many days anyway: since he met Trazyn on Morgan's recommendation, the chief pharmacist spent almost all of his time in Trazyn's private collection room on the Aurora, and would not even return to the guest room where they stayed every night.

But he had no right to blame his brother: unless it was necessary to rest, didn't Akudona spend all day in the arena? After all, the number of ancient warriors in the Dawnbreaker Legion had always been the highest in the entire empire, and he could find more good opponents on this battleship than anywhere else in the galaxy.

Relying on the friendship from a hundred years ago, he was even able to persuade those silent warriors on rest in Morgan's personal guard to fight him: But you know what, those eleven nameless swords in these guys' hands are really good.

The court swordsman lowered his head and unconsciously clenched his beloved sword. He had collected hundreds of famous swords in the past, but in this short period of time, he had lost more than twenty of them: the sharp blades in the hands of the Knights of the Round Table were made of metals unknown to him. Cutting off the famous sword in his hand that was famous throughout the galaxy was no more difficult than cutting a piece of heated butter.

This was inevitably an exaggeration: in the past years, he had arrogantly confronted the Primarchs, but even the divine weapons in the Primarchs' hands could not be so sharp. Such a knife was enough to make any swordsman willing to give up everything, and it was enough to make any opponent lose his life.

God knows where all these good things in Dawnbreaker's hands came from?

Akudona sighed silently and shook his head at the unfairness of fate, but his hands never stopped moving: after carefully wiping the two swords, he stood up and returned to the small circle on the field, where about twelve or thirteen Astartes with outstanding achievements were competing with each other in physical skills.

About two-thirds of the people present were Dawnbreakers under Morgan, but most of them were unknown and it was difficult for outsiders to recognize their faces. The remaining one-third were masters from various legions. They gathered here by chance, both to kill time and to complete an official business.

The number of just a dozen people was obviously not enough to fill the entire arena, but the Dawnbreakers still solemnly cleared out this highest-level fighting hall: Captain Hector, who happened to be on leave, was guarding the door idly. As long as they could defeat him, anyone could come in and participate in the highest-level competition.

Or listen to the topics they discuss.

"Lord Guilliman is very firm in his stance regarding the Council of Nicaea."

Having just concluded a brief bout with the Prince of Crows, Orfeo, Lord of the Ultramarines' reserve army, wiped the heavy beads of sweat from his forehead, put away his sword, and was the first to open his mouth: before that, he looked at Ahriman with respect and received the latter's silent approval.

Then, he looked at the crowd: more precisely, at the representatives of the Astartes Legions, or their respective Primarchs, namely the Emperor's Children, Imperial Fists, Luna Wolves, White Scars and Blood Angels.

Their Primarchs were the ones who were confirmed to speak at the Council, and their words would likely be in the direction of Magnus: or at least the Librarian.

"For a long time, the Ultramarines and the entire Five Hundred Worlds of Ultramar have been working hard to support the establishment and improvement of the think tank system. We have invested countless efforts in this and have gained a lot. And at least so far, the think tank system has been maintaining a relatively positive feedback in the Thirteenth Legion, which has effectively offset the uncertainty brought about by psychic power."

"So, we believe that the think tank system is definitely worth preserving. Blindly canceling the think tank forces will do more harm than good to the entire Great Crusade. It is absolutely intolerable. Our Gene Father will stick to his point of view on Nikaea. He is ready for a debate."

Orfeo tapped his shoulder armor and emphasized the Ultramarines' position with a loud voice: the battle-brothers before him responded with silence, except for the White Scars who nodded noticeably, obviously agreeing with Ultramar's statement.

"Be at ease, brother: no one can doubt the love and protectiveness of the Lord of Five Hundred Worlds for his proud work that he has worked so hard on. We have never doubted Master Guilliman's position, we are only speculating on another matter."

Standing opposite Orfeo, Sejanus, representing Horus and the Luna Wolves, smiled with all his might: As the most respected diplomatic envoy of the Wolf God, Sejanus was one of the few who could get rid of the bad reputation of the Sixteenth Legion among its brother units and pave the way with his sincerity and earnestness.

As he spread his hands, even Orfeo had to forget all the unpleasantness that had broken out between Guilliman's brood and the Luna Wolves in days gone by, and listen.

"We simply wish to know: what does Lord Guilliman think of the possible charges against Lord Magnus?"

This simple question caused the Ultramarines to hesitate visibly.

He was silent for a moment, then gave his answer in a low voice. "Although Master Guilliman and Master Magnus have no further origins, they are brothers with the same blood after all, and comrades who have experienced the Great Crusade together. Even if it is just out of friendship after fighting side by side: he is willing to vouch for the loyalty of the Thousand Sons Legion."

In other words, there is nothing to say and I can only provide moral support?
The Emperor's son, standing in the distance, smiled: These Ultramar people are really good at talking nonsense. What does it mean to guarantee the loyalty of the Thousand Sons? If Magnus and his descendants even have problems with loyalty, then there will be no such gentle situation as Nikaea.

In the final analysis, Guilliman's attitude was very clear: he would personally fight for the survival of the Librarians, and would not hesitate to engage in close combat with any opponents, but as for the fate and future of Magnus? That was not something the Five Hundred Worlds should consider.

Sejanus certainly understood such simple logic. He nodded and soothed Orfeo's mind with a smile. After a little thought, he immediately fixed his gaze on the Khan's envoy: Yesugei was like a melting snowman, just standing there quietly. He had not participated in any competition throughout the whole process, but no one doubted his qualifications to stand here.

"What's your attitude, brother?"

Facing Moon Wolf's question, White Scar simply answered calmly.

"For the sake of brotherhood, the Khan is not afraid to draw his blade against any challenger."

The simple words were like a cold light, chilling the scalp of everyone present: even Ahriman glanced in Yesugei's direction with gratitude. Although after so many years in the Dawnbreaker Legion, Ahriman had gradually seen the true state of the world and no longer expected many people to speak for his genetic father at the upcoming Nikea Conference, but such a brief and powerful support was enough to move the coldest heart in the galaxy.

The sincere friendship between the Father of the Thousand Sons and the Khan Chogoris was definitely one of the most correct things he had ever done in his life: Ahriman prayed silently in his heart, praying that he would be able to repay such a kindness one day, and also praying that his Gene-Father would not let the Khan down in the future.

"Razor sharp."

Just as Ahriman was touched, a Crow Prince who was wiping the power halberd in his hand nearby showed his fangs and praised the White Scars' loyalty with Nostramo-style joking words.

"No wonder some people have been trying to stop the Khan from entering the meeting place in Nikaea."

“This is all nonsense.”

Yesugei retorted.

"The Lord of Mankind personally placed the invitation to the meeting on the Khan's desk."

"Maybe he changed his mind."

Sevatar snorted lightly, then lowered his head and went about his own business: but someone obviously didn't want to let him go.

"You haven't told us what Lord Midnight Haunter thinks, brother?"

Faced with Sejanus's questioning, Sevatar didn't even bother to look him in the eye.

"Why don't you talk about the Warmaster first?"

"It is only natural that the Warmaster speaks for his brother."

"Which brother? Those who will fight on Nikaea are his brothers."

"That is not our concern: but the Warmaster will consider it for the sake of the Great Crusade."

"whispering sound!"

Sevatar simply spat.

"Then tell your Warmaster."

"Whatever you have pulled out of the ash of Nicaea, the Night Lords will not change our phalanx. You can do whatever you want. The Eighth Legion will not be bothered by such trivial matters: you know that we have our duties and privileges."

"The Warmaster always respects that."

Facing the sneer that was almost written on Prince of Crows' skull, Sejanus was much calmer than the ordinary Luna Wolf. He even smiled at Sevatar, thanking him for answering his questions, and then looked at the other brothers, preparing to get more information for his genetic father before reaching Nikea's low-Earth orbit tomorrow.

But in the eyes of Ahriman standing by, this so-called intelligence was worthless.

"What's the point of asking them?"

He sighed to Bayar beside him.

"The few legions that were able to come here are definitely not enemies of Magnus and the Thousand Sons: the real opponents are the Wolf King and the Wolf Legion, the Lord of Death and his Death Guard. Without their attitude, we will never know what will happen on Nikaea."

"Then go and see for yourself and listen."

Bayar smiled triumphantly, as if he had anticipated Ahriman's complaint. Facing the Thousand Sons' confused gaze, the Champion Swordsman put on a lot of posture and remained silent for a long time before slowly giving his answer.

"Tomorrow, tomorrow, Master Morgan will go to the Endurance to visit the Lord of Death."

"We are still short of a servant."

"How about it: do you want to do it?"

"..."

Ahriman thought about it.

"Then...is there any life insurance?"

(End of this chapter)